[Featured Stock] Dongjin Semichem Rewrites Record High... Samsung EUV Role '↑' with Ultra-Gap

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Dongjin Semichem's stock price is soaring. The news that it has developed extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresist (PR), an essential material for semiconductor ultra-fine processes, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics appears to have influenced the stock price. EUV PR is one of the three materials designated by Japan as export-restricted items in 2019. Due to the high technical difficulty, the product, which was entirely dependent on overseas sources, has been localized through collaboration among domestic companies.

However, a Dongjin Semichem official stated regarding the news reports, "We are unable to confirm the facts at this time."

As of 2:18 PM on the 21st, Dongjin Semichem recorded 43,000 KRW, up 19.61% (7,050 KRW) compared to the previous trading day. During the session, it rose to 43,300 KRW, setting a new all-time high.

Recently, an IT specialized media reported that Dongjin Semichem has passed the reliability test (qualification) for Samsung Electronics' EUV PR. Citing industry insiders, it introduced that Dongjin Semichem developed EUV PR at its Hwaseong plant in Gyeonggi Province and tested it at Samsung Electronics' Hwaseong EUV line, receiving the final qualification. Both Samsung Electronics and Dongjin Semichem are reportedly withholding comments on the EUV PR qualification pass.

Samsung Electronics is focusing on the EUV process. Earlier, since October, Samsung Electronics began mass production of next-generation DDR5 DRAM applying the industry's smallest line width of 14 nanometers (nm, one-billionth of a meter) EUV process. Leveraging this advanced process technology, which improved productivity by 20% compared to the previous generation, it is expected to maintain an overwhelmingly leading position for the time being.

According to global market research firm Omdia on the 21st, Samsung Electronics' DRAM market share in the third quarter of this year recorded 43.9%. Samsung Electronics, the number one company, has continued an upward trend in DRAM market share for three consecutive quarters, from 41.0% in the fourth quarter of last year to 41.2% in the first quarter, 43.2% in the second quarter, and 43.9% in the third quarter of this year.